Texas Dinero Poker Game
A poker game played with a standard 52-card deck, in which each player is provided with one individual card, in addition to six community cards. Each player can form a hand from his single pocket card and any of the community cards, or can form a hand from only the community cards. The six community cards are dealt in the sequence three cards, two cards, and one card, which does not make available to a player a full hand of five cards until after the second round of betting. Additionally, the increased proportion of community cards makes hands which split the pot more likely. The features of this game combine to increase the length of time players stay in each hand and correspondingly increase pot size. When played at a casino with a rake base on a percentage of the pot, the increased pot size also increases the casino's take.
The present invention relates to a modified poker game, played with a conventional deck of 52 playing cards divided into four suits of 13 cards each.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPoker has enjoyed an increase in popularity in recent years, and a variety of modified poker games have arisen to provide players with desired levels of action, complexity, and ease of play. Most varieties of poker share many common features. Most games utilize a standard 52-card deck, though some use one, two, or four jokers as wild cards that can represent any card of any suit. Players are dealt a certain number of cards. Players may be dealt cards face up or face down. Cards dealt to a player are known as “pocket cards,” and cards dealt face down to a player are known as “hole cards.” Many variations of poker also use “community cards,” which are dealt face up and are available to be used in combination with a player's pocket cards in forming a poker hand. Community cards add an additional element of competition, such as the potential for two players to be attempting to form the same or similar hands. Variations of poker in which one or more community cards are used have particularly increased in popularity.
Nearly all poker games utilize a wagering system, which often requires the majority of the skill, and generates most of the excitement of the poker game. Typical games utilize chips or other tokens placed in a central area, or “pot,” though informal games may use cash or other items.
A poker game may begin with a forced bet, or “ante,” placed in the pot by each player to initiate the hand. Betting generally moves around the table in a clockwise direction, starting from the dealer or, in casino games, from a player serving as a nominal dealer, often indicated with a marker. One or more rounds of betting follow. In some poker games, in the first round of betting the player to the left of the dealer must make a forced “small blind” bet and the player to that player's left must make a forced “big blind” bet. The big blind is often approximately twice the small blind, but may be any amount, including equal to the small blind. Common combinations of small blind and big blind would be $1-$2, $1-$3, $4-$4, $10-$15, $25-$50, $50-$100, and so on. The blinds may be used in games with an ante and in games without an ante. During each round of betting, a player may “bet” by placing additional chips or other markers into the pot, or may “check” by passing the turn without betting. When a player checks, the next player has an opportunity to bet or check. When a player bets, other players have the option to “call” and match the player's bet, “raise” by matching the player's bet and betting an additional amount, or “fold” and forfeit the game. In games utilizing blinds, each player must call or raise the big blind bet on the first round. When the last round of betting concludes, any remaining players reveal their cards. In the “showdown,” the winner is determined by comparing the ranks of the players' hands, and the player with the highest ranked hand receives the accumulated bets in the pot. When multiple players' hands tie for the highest ranked hand, the players “split the pot,” dividing the accumulated bets in the pot evenly among the players with the hands tied for the highest rank.
Poker games with community cards differ in the order of cards dealt and presented, the number of cards available to each player in forming a poker hand, and the balance between community cards available to all players and pocket cards available to only a single player.
The balance of cards available as community cards to each player and of cards available as pocket cards to only one player has a strong effect on the degree to which pocket cards determine the outcome of the game. When the balance is tilted towards a larger proportion of community cards, a player has access to most of the same cards as the player's opponents. For example, when a player's opponent has a straight of five sequential cards in a game using four pocket cards and three community cards, at least two of the five cards are pocket cards, and it is unlikely that the player would also have a straight. If a player's opponent has the same straight in a game using six community cards and only one pocket card, it is much more likely that the player would also have the straight. This increases the chances that the hands will tie, splitting the pot, and there is a high probability that the highest hand will be comprised of only community cards. The increased chance that the pot will be split encourages players to continue to participate in betting until the end of the hand, since when the strongest hand is comprised only of community cards, all remaining players are rewarded essentially for betting until the end. The continued participation of more players will increase the overall size of the pot, and provide added interest as players are active in the game longer, and as more hands continue in play until the final showdown.
Another factor strongly affecting the game is the number of cards available to a player in a given betting round. Since many poker hands such as straights and flushes require five cards and have little strength if incomplete, a player is more likely to continue betting until at least five cards are available to him. In many poker variations, a player has five available cards after the first round of betting, and most variations provide the player with five available cards in the first half of the betting rounds. Since a player playing one of those variations is thus able to see five available cards, he is more likely to fold if he does not complete or come close to completing the straight or flush he was hoping to form. Consequently, many players bet for fewer rounds, and the overall size of the pot is less than if the players remained to the end of the hand or to a later round. Larger pot sizes typically add to the excitement of a game, and enhance enjoyment for many players. Additionally, the increase in pot size with each round of betting provides added interest and the anticipation of continually increasing rewards for expectant winners.
When poker is played in casinos, the casino typically allows players to play without charge, and often makes money by taking a cut of the pot, called the “rake.” The rake can be taken on a timed basis, but is often taken as a percentage of the pot at the end of each hand. Since the rake taken is a percentage of the pot, the casino will benefit substantially from any increase in average pot size, since the rake taken by the casino will increase in direct proportion to the increase in pot size. Consequently, in addition to the benefits to players of more involvement and increased excitement, a larger pot size also increases the profits of the casino hosting the game.
Texas Hold'em is a very popular variety of community card poker. In Texas Hold'em, each player receives two pocket cards. A round of betting occurs after the pocket cards are dealt, followed by the display of three community cards, called the “flop.” A second round of betting occurs, followed by the display of a fourth community card, called the “turn,” or “fourth street.” A third round of betting then occurs, followed by the display of a fifth community card, called the “river” or “fifth street.” A final round of betting occurs, after which the players determine the winner, in a process called the “showdown.” The winner is the player who has the highest ranked hand formed from any of the player's pocket cards and the community cards. The winner receives all the accumulated bets in the pot. Since there are two pocket cards available to each player, and only five community cards, it is likely that the highest ranked hand will utilize pocket cards, and the chances for a tie hand are relatively less than in a game with fewer pocket cards and more community cards. Additionally, since a full hand of five cards is available after the first round of betting, players will be likely to fold if they fail to make a ranked hand when the first three community cards are dealt.
U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0200297 filed by Flangas discloses a method of playing a community card poker game played against other players with a new wagering system. The new features of the method are directed toward a new wagering system of limiting wagers in certain rounds. The sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Furthermore, the limiting of wagers would work against the advantages of increased pot size to players and casinos provided in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,011 issued to Strong et al. discloses a community card poker game played against other players with multiple jackpots and a system of rewarding all players, even when folded, at the completion of the hand based on a variety of circumstances. The sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Furthermore, the incentives to remain in the hand provided by an increased likelihood of splitting the pot are not created, and rewarding players who have folded increases the likelihood that players will fold, reducing the size of the pot.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,876 issued to Sklansky et al. discloses a community card poker game played against a dealer. This invention is primarily oriented toward a means for dealer qualification in a game for table play or machine play. One of the fundamental challenges in a multiplayer poker game is surmising the possible hands that opponents may hold. In community card-based games, calculating the hands that can be formed based on the visible community cards is a major component of this. Since this game is played against a dealer, however, it is only necessary to consider what hand the dealer may be targeting. Additionally, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Furthermore, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Also, since the Sklansky game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,509 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,468 issued to Sklansky et al. primarily disclose a system for dealer qualification, as well as a system for bonus rewards in certain situations. Since the game of this system is played against a dealer rather than multiple players, it is not necessary to calculate the hands that multiple players may be targeting, but it is only necessary to consider what hand the dealer may be targeting. Additionally, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Furthermore, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Also, since these Sklansky games are played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0145684 filed by Webb et al. discloses a poker game played against the dealer in which pocket cards and three sets of community cards are dealt, and the player's hand is formed from a combination of his pocket card(s), either the first or second set of community cards, and the third set of community cards. Since this game is played against a dealer rather than multiple players, it is not necessary to calculate the hands that multiple players may be targeting, but it is only necessary to consider what hand the dealer may be targeting. Additionally, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Furthermore, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Also, since the Webb game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,510,193 issued to Schlumbrecht discloses a poker game in which a player plays against a predetermined payout table. Each player is dealt a predetermined number of pocket cards, and a set of three community cards is dealt. A best hand is formed for each player from the community cards and the player's pocket cards, and compared to the predetermined payout table to determine the payout. Since this game is played against a predetermined payout table, there is no need to consider what hands another player or the dealer may be targeting based on the community cards, so the community cards do not function as standard community cards. Furthermore, since this game is played against a payout table rather than other players, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Additionally, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Also, since the Schlumbrecht game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,015 issued to Feola discloses a poker game in which a player plays against a predetermined payout table. Each player selects a starting hand from a predetermined set of starting hands by placing a bet on that hand. Community cards are then dealt, with play proceeding as in a typical community card poker game. Since this game is played against a predetermined payout table, there is no need to consider what hands another player or the dealer may be targeting based on the community cards, so the community cards do not function as standard community cards. Furthermore, since this game is played against a payout table rather than other players, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Additionally, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Additionally, since the Feola game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,563 issued to Yoseloff et al. discloses a computer system for controlling a poker game, including dealing and determination of a winner. A game played against a predetermined payout table is also provided, including dealing at least one card to each player and at least one common card, and giving each player a chance to examine the cards and withdraw at least part of a wager. Since this game is played against a predetermined payout table, there is no need to consider what hands another player or the dealer may be targeting based on the community cards, so the community cards do not function as standard community cards. Furthermore, since this game is played against a payout table rather than other players, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Additionally, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Additionally, since the Yoseloff game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided. Furthermore, the game is played only on a computer system, and is not disclosed for play at a standard poker table.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,240 issued to Perkins discloses a system for a side bet and jackpot system for use with any card game. The system rewards a player who is dealt a specified card with a reward from an accumulated side bet pool. This system is disclosed in combination with both community card games and non-community card games. The system itself is not oriented towards a card game at all, but a game to be played along with a card game. Furthermore, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Additionally, the incentives provided by an increased likelihood of splitting the pot are not created by the side bet system, nor are the advantages to the house of a larger pot and an increased house rake.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,266 issued to Breeding et al. discloses a betting system for a poker game played against a predetermined payout table in which a player may withdraw at least a portion of his bet at some point after the game starts. The system is disclosed for use in a game including community cards. Since this game is played against a predetermined payout table, there is no need to consider what hands another player or the dealer may be targeting based on the community cards, so the community cards do not function as standard community cards. Furthermore, since this game is played against a payout table rather than other players, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Additionally, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Additionally, since the Breeding game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,935 issued to Matusek et al. discloses a community card poker game played against the dealer in which each player receives three face-down pocket cards, and three community cards are dealt. Each player's best hand is formed from a combination of his three pocket cards, the third community card, and either of the remaining community cards. Since this game is played against a dealer rather than multiple players, it is not necessary to calculate the hands that multiple players may be targeting, but it is only necessary to consider what hand the dealer may be targeting. Additionally, the social element of winning against multiple people is lost. Furthermore, the sequence of pocket and community cards provided in the present invention is not disclosed. Also, since the Matusek game is played with set bets rather than a pot, the advantages of a larger pot and an increased house rake are not provided. Furthermore, the Matusek game requires the use of “key cards” which must be used in forming a player's hand, while there is no similar provision in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention describes a poker game utilizing a decreased number of pocket cards and a modified community card sequence to provide a fast, entertaining game in which a large proportion of hands are playable, and which maintains a high level of uncertainty until late in a round of play, encouraging players to remain in the game and increasing the size of the pot. The poker game of the present invention utilizes a deck of conventional playing cards with four suits containing 13 cards each, with each suit containing cards numbered 2 through 10 and four court cards bearing the titles of jack, queen, king and ace. In the poker game of the present invention, betting proceeds in several rounds, and any players remaining in the game after all rounds of betting compare their highest ranked combination, wherein such combination is formed using four or more of the six community cards available to all players and one or zero of the pocket cards available to each player. The player remaining after all rounds of betting with the highest ranked hand receives the accumulated bets in the pot. When multiple players' hands tie for the highest ranked hand, the accumulated bets in the pot are split between the players with the tied hands.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a poker game utilizing a decreased number of pocket cards and a modified community card sequence to provide a fast, entertaining game in which a large proportion of hands are playable, and which maintains a high level of uncertainty until late in a round of play, encouraging players to remain in the game and increasing the size of the pot.
Betting in poker games usually utilizes poker chips which represent certain cash denominations such as $1, $5, $10, and so forth. Betting in the modified poker game of the present invention can be played with poker chips, cash, score tokens, electronic chip representations, or any other item or system suitable for use in poker betting systems.
Poker play in standard practice proceeds to the left, and is thus referenced in this disclosure. However, the direction of play and positioning of the big blind and the small blind in relationship to the dealer are not material to the invention, and such references throughout this disclosure are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, betting often commences with the player with the highest showing hand, though betting may commence from a designated player or in other schemes. The player who commences each betting round is not material to this invention, and such references throughout this disclosure are not intended to be limiting.
After the first round of betting 120, three community cards are dealt 130, followed by a second round of betting 140. An additional set of two community cards are then dealt 150. A third round of betting 160 then occurs, followed by one additional community card 170. Finally, the last round of betting 180 and the showdown 190 occur. The winner is determined during the showdown in a process described in the discussion of
Referring to
At the start of the game, the first optional step 210 involves each player placing the designated ante into the pot before the receipt of any cards.
The second step 215 is the dealing of one card face down to each player.
The third step 220 is the playing of a big blind and a small blind, and the first round of betting. The small blind is preferably played by the player to the left of the dealer, and the big blind is preferably played by the player to the left of that player. Betting preferably proceeds to the left of the player playing the big blind. The bet unit for this round is preferably one unit. The positioning of the big blind and the small blind, the direction of play, and the bet units used are not intended to be limiting.
The fourth step 225 is the dealing of three community cards face up. When determining a player's best hand, any or all community cards may be used with a player's pocket card to form the best poker hand.
The fifth step 230 involves the second round of betting. Each player bets based on the one face-down card he has received, the community cards, and his knowledge of the other players' hands due to the other players' betting. The bet unit for this round is preferably one or two units. The betting preferably starts with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the table.
The sixth step 235 is the dealing of two additional community cards face up.
The seventh step 240 involves a third round of betting, in which each player bets based on his pocket card, the five community cards, and the other players' betting. Betting preferably starts from the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the table. The bet unit for this round is preferably two units.
The eighth step 245 is the dealing of an additional community card face up.
The ninth step 250 involves the fourth round of betting. Each player bets based on his pocket card, the six community cards, and the other players' betting. The bet unit for the round is again preferably two units. The betting again preferably starts with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the table.
The eleventh step 255 is the resolution of the hand, or showdown, in which any remaining players show their hands. Each remaining player's best hand of five cards, formed from any of the player's pocket card and the six community cards, are compared, and the player with the highest ranking hand wins the accumulated bets in the pot.
The play of this game provides several advantages that enhance enjoyment and excitement for the players. The game provides to each player a total of seven cards from which a hand may be formed. This amount and the combinations it permits provide a game in which higher ranked hands are less common, and players are likely to have a reasonable chance of winning with a wide variety of hands. At the same time, sufficient cards are available for multiple combinations to be possible, and the larger ratio of community cards to pocket card provides interest for players who enjoy having a higher probability of tied hands. Furthermore, the action in the game is later than most poker games, due to the fact that players do not have five cards available until after the second round of betting, with only two rounds of betting left. Both the later action and the increased probability of tied hands tend to encourage players to stay in the game a longer amount of time in order to see a potential hand and to receive a share of the pot if the hands tie. This also leads to larger pots, as the players must contribute to the pot to stay in the game. Larger pots further increase the excitement of the game, as the potential reward for the winner is higher.
The games disclosed in the various embodiments of this invention may be played in a wide variety of settings. The game may be played in a casino setting, with optional elements as known in the art including a house dealer who is not a participant in the game and a commission on winnings. This game is also suitable for use in software for use in wagering and non-wagering devices, personal mobile devices, computers and gaming boxes as are known or become known in the art; in media suitable for transferring software incorporating the game as is understood in the art; and in internet or intranet service for gaming or non-gaming purposes.
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A method of providing a modified poker game to be played by players competing against one another using one or more standard 52-card decks comprising the steps of:
- a. dealing one pocket card to each player, wherein the one pocket card is dealt in a manner which does not reveal its respective rank to other players;
- b. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player with the option to place a wager for other respective players to match or forfeit the game;
- c. dealing three community cards, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- d. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in a pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- e. dealing two community cards, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- f. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in the pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- g. dealing one community card, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- h. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in the pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- i. exposing the dealt cards of each player remaining in the round of play;
- j. determining the players having achieved the highest ranking hand based on conventional poker ranking rules, wherein the ranking of each of the respective player's hands is based on any five cards selected from the group of cards formed by the one pocket card and the community cards dealt; and
- k. awarding at least a substantial portion of the pot to the player determined to have the highest ranking hand.
9. The method of claim 8 in which said steps (a) through (h) are conducted sequentially beginning with step (a) and concluding with step (h).
10. The method of claim 9 in which said steps (a) through (k) are conducted sequentially beginning with step (a) and concluding with step (j).
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of receiving one or more ante wagers from one or more players prior to the step of dealing the one pocket card.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving matching ante wagers from each of the remaining other players after the step of dealing the one pocket card, wherein a player forfeits if a matching ante wager is not received.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of receiving all wagers placed in the pot by players during the round of betting, in which said steps (a) through (j) are conducted sequentially beginning with step (a) and concluding with step (j).
14. The method of claim 8, wherein wagers placed in the pot during the round of betting include raises of other player prior wagers placed in the pot during that round.
15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of distributing the awarded amount to the player determined to have the highest ranking hand.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more standard 52-card decks comprise physical playing cards and each of the steps of dealing cards comprises dealing randomly-ordered cards to the players.
17. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more standard 52-card decks comprise virtual representations of playing cards and each of the steps of dealing cards comprises displaying randomly generated cards to the players through a display device.
18-53. (canceled)
54. A method of electronically providing a card game utilizing representations of cards in one or more standard 52-card decks to be played by players competing against one another comprising the steps of:
- a. dealing one pocket card to each player, wherein the one pocket card is dealt in a manner which does not reveal its respective rank to other players;
- b. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player with the option to place a wager for other respective players to match or forfeit the game;
- c. dealing three community cards, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- d. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in a pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- e. dealing two community cards, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- f. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in the pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- g. dealing one community card, wherein each of the three community cards are dealt in a manner which reveals their respective ranks;
- h. conducting a round of betting, wherein the round of betting includes providing each respective player in the game with the option to place a wager in the pot for other respective players in the game to either match or forfeit the game;
- i. exposing the dealt cards of each player remaining in the round of play;
- j. determining the player having achieved the highest ranking hand based on conventional poker ranking rules, wherein the ranking of each of the respective player's hands is based on any five cards selected from the group of cards formed by the one pocket card and the community cards dealt; and
- k. awarding at least a substantial portion of the pot to the player determined to have the highest ranking hand.
55. The method of claim 54 in which the community cards are displayed.
56. The method of claim 54 in which one or more players are virtual players.
57. The method of claim 54 in which cards are displayed to players on separate computers connected by a network.
58. The method of claim 57 in which cards are displayed to players on separate computers connected by the Internet.
59. The method of claim 57 in which cards are displayed to players on one or more screens connected to the same computer.
60. The method of claim 54 in which cards are displayed to players on a handheld device.
61. The method of claim 54 in which the cards to be displayed are determined by a server which is remote from any player.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 11, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2012
Inventor: Gary Willis (Brookeland, TX)
Application Number: 12/901,573
International Classification: A63F 1/00 (20060101);
